Chancellor Bernadette Gray-Little announced yesterday that she and Athletics Director Lew Perkins have teamed together to raise $40 million for academic programs at the University of Kansas.

The money would be generated by a proposed seating expansion on the east side of Memorial Stadium. However, the proposed plan would have to be approved by the Kansas Board of Regents at its Sept. 15 and 16 meetings. If approved, revenue from the additional seating would be directed towards academic programs for the University.

The proposed seating expansion, called The Gridiron Club, housed at the stadium would seat about 3,000 fans according to a University press release.

It said the revenue from seat sales would finance the project’s $34 million construction expenses and provide $40 million to academic programs. But seat pricing and additional details about the club will be announced at a later date.

The press release also said that the design would complement the west side scholarship suites. Overall, it would also enhance the appearance of the stadium from the east neighborhood.

“This development, assuming that it is going to be successful and turn out the way we want, will be a major first step in raising the resources to enhance academic programs here at KU,” Gray-Little said.

Increasing academic resources is one of the three goals Gray-Little has set since her arrival at the University. Her other goals include improving undergraduate retention and better supporting scholarly programs.

Gray-Little said she and Perkins shared the vision of enhancing academic excellence and athletic success in tandem.

“The stronger the University, the stronger our athletic programs are going to be,” Perkins said. He said recruiting greatly depended on the quality of the University.

Perkins said the 3,000 club seating expansion would hopefully be completed by the 2010 football season. Though he doesn’t have design plans set in stone, Perkins said the addition would probably span from end zone to end zone and consist of three sections. The expansion would also include more bathrooms and concessions.

Perkins said he had received several phone calls and e-mails from people interested in the project after the announcement but that fans have been interested in seeing more seating added to Memorial Stadium for some time. He said the suites available at Memorial Stadium were sold out for the season.

Gray-Little said $40 million would contribute to the University in a number of ways. She said the University would be able to offer more scholarships and fellowships as well as retain valuable faculty members. Gray-Little also said funds would be redirected toward student success programs that had recently been decreased after budget considerations.

May Davis, Clay Center senior and student body vice president, said she thought $40 million was a feasible amount of money to raise considering the community’s dedication to athletics and Gray-Little’s enthusiasm.

“She goes after her goals,” Davis said. “She really sees the benefits of the goals she has laid out and as a student that is really inspiring. It’s exciting to know that our University is being led by somebody who actually has the benefits for the students in mind.”

Gray-Little said the discussion of expanding seating at Memorial Stadium had taken place before her arrival to the University, but she was able to contribute to the discussion of possible collaboration between academics and athletics once she arrived.

Both Gray-Little and Perkins said they thought the expansion would benefit the University as a whole.

“If we hit a grand slam like we think we’re going to hit a grand slam, we want to share the wealth of this benefit,” Perkins said.

— — Edited by Anna Kathagnarath